When it comes to figuring out the Bengals’ safeties, there’s Reggie Nelson and …

That is why the position is considered by most to be a need going into the NFL Draft. Chris Crocker is a free agent and would be entering his 11th season in the league, while Taylor Mays is still trying to find his niche. Nate Clements, who also is an unrestricted free agent, played safety more than half the time last year but saw his snaps decrease significantly during the second half of the season.

After that, there are a lot of young and unproven guys. Fifth-round pick George Iloka didn’t play a defensive snap last year, while Robert Sands and Tony Dye were on injured reserve.

In most years, taking a safety at No. 21 overall would be considered a stretch, but this year’s class is considered to be one of the best in awhile. While teams love pass rushers, safety play, or a lack thereof, is a major reason why Denver was upset by Baltimore and why San Francisco fell behind early against the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.